Governance
Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust Governance Structure
Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust is structured in accordance with its Articles of Association.
There are three levels of governance within the Trust: the Members, The Trust Board of Directors, and the governors who make up the Local Governing Body for each academy in the Trust.
The Trust comprises five Members. The Members are accountable to the DfE and have ultimate responsibility for the Trust achieving its charitable objectives. They sign off the Articles of Association and have the power to appoint and remove the Directors. The Members include representatives from the Diocese of Newcastle and Hexham. The majority of the Members are independent of the Directors to provide challenge and scrutiny to the Board.
The ultimate responsibility for the running of our schools resides with the Directors of the Trust. They set the strategic direction for the Trust and are accountable to the Secretary of State for the performance of the schools within it. This is set out in a legal document known as the ‘funding agreement‘. As charity trustees, they must also ensure that they are complying with charity law requirements.
Directors are appointed on the basis of skills needed.
The authority for running each school remains at Local Governing Committee level and is clearly defined by our scheme of delegation.
The Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust is governed by people in our local communities who have each made a significant impact on the lives of young people.
St Charles' Catholic Primary School: Local Governing Committee
The Local Governing Committee meets at least once each term and are appointed to:
Lead our Catholic school ensuring that the school's Catholic mission and life are at all times promoted and developed. They are accountable for assuring high quality in the provision of all the curriculum including Religious Education and prayer and worship. They appoint staff who enhance the distinctive nature of the school. They determine and monitor the school's budget and premises. They are responsible for school admissions and attendance.
The Local Governing Committee have further legal duties, powers and responsibilities, including safeguarding and health and safety. They act together, they cannot act individually.
St Charles' Governors are:
-
Foundation Governors appointed by the Bishop
-
Parent
-
Staff member at the school
Parent Governor:
-
has a child in school
-
is elected by parents of the school
-
serve, as do other governors, for four years
-
Parent Governors bring views of parents to the Local Governing Committee, but they speak and act as individuals. They do not vote for all parents in general. They have equal status in the work of the Local Governing Committee and have voting rights.
The Local Governing Committee can be contacted through the Chairperson, Mrs Maureen Block, at the school address.
Governance documentation and a list of our LGC can be found below:
Mrs Maureen Block
Chair of Local Governing Committee
Foundation Governor
Pecuniary Interests:
None
Mrs Elizabeth O'Mahony
Foundation Governor
Pecuniary Interests:
None
Mr Adrian Tate
Foundation Governor
Pecuniary Interests:
None
Mrs Amy Bone
Foundation Governor
Pecuniary Interests:
None
Mrs Jenny McGuigan
Foundation Governor
Pecuniary Interests:
None
Mrs Emma Longbotham
Foundation Governor
Pecuniary Interests:
None
Mrs Jemma Wilkinson
Associate Governor
Pecuniary Interests:
None
Miss Rebecca Thomas
Staff Governor
Pecuniary Interests:
None
Mrs Vanessa Hope
Parent Governor
Pecuniary Interests:
None
Mrs Louise Nealings
Headteacher
Ex-Officio
Pecuniary Interests:
None
Mrs Tracey Ambrose
School Business Manager
Pecuniary Interests:
N/A
